Naughty Dog President Debunks The Last of Us Part 3 Rumors

The future of The Last of Us series might be coming to a close, according to recent comments from Naughty Dog. Dive in to discover more about the future of The Last of Us and what Naughty Dog is currently working on.

The Last Of Us Might Not Get Another Sequel

This Could Be It According To Naughty Dog

The Last of Us (TLOU) might not see another sequel, with The Last of Us 2 potentially marking the end of the iconic zombie post-apocalypse series. In a revealing interview with Variety on March 5, 2025, Naughty Dog co-president Neil Druckmann addressed the speculation around The Last of Us 3.

Druckmann stated, "I guess the only thing I would say is don’t bet on there being more of ‘Last of Us.’ This could be it." These remarks cast a shadow of uncertainty over the future of TLOU in gaming, as Naughty Dog shifts focus toward expanding the TV series.

In a previous conversation with IGN at the DICE Summit 2025, Druckmann shared his approach to game development, saying, "I think you're jinxing yourself if you're starting to think about the sequel when you're working on the first game. So when I was making The Last of Us 2, yeah, sure. Every once in a while an idea pops in your head of where it might go if we get the chance to do another one. But I just approach it as, ‘what if I never get to do another one?’...I'm not saving some idea for the future. If there's a cool idea, I'm doing my best to get it into here."

This approach could signal the end of TLOU video game sequels, particularly given the conclusive nature of The Last of Us 2's narrative. However, fans can still look forward to diving back into the universe with the upcoming Season 2 of The Last of Us TV series, set to premiere on April 13, 2025.

Working On A New IP

Despite the potential end of the TLOU game series, Naughty Dog is not slowing down. At The Game Awards 2024, the studio unveiled Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, a new IP in development for the PlayStation 5.

A teaser trailer showcased the game's sci-fi theme, and according to its official website, Naughty Dog has been crafting this ambitious project since 2020. This new game promises to be Naughty Dog's most creative and expansive story to date. Since the announcement, details about Intergalactic have been scarce, leaving fans eager for more information.

The Last of Us Online Cancelled To Give Way To Intergalactic

The cancellation of The Last of Us Online was a strategic move by Naughty Dog to prioritize single-player experiences over live-service games. In an interview on the Sacred Symbols+ podcast on February 19, 2025, former Sony Interactive Entertainment President Shuhei Yoshida shed light on the decision.

Yoshida explained that the advice from Destiny creators Bungie played a pivotal role. He noted, "The idea for The Last of Us Online came from Naughty Dog and they really wanted to make it." He added, "But Bungie explained what it takes to make live-service games, and Naughty Dog realized, 'Oops, we can't do that! If we do it, we can't make Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.' So that was a lack of foresight."

With Druckmann’s statement and the cancellation of The Last of Us Online, it appears Naughty Dog is stepping away from the TLOU franchise for now. However, fans can still anticipate the release of The Last of Us 2 Remastered on April 3, 2025, for PC. Stay updated with the latest on The Last of Us 2 Remastered by checking out our detailed article below!